Social Fried Cheese Sticks Recipe

Prepare cheese sticks

Remove the mozzarella string cheeses from their wrappers and cut each in half crosswise so you have 24 shorter sticks. Pat each piece dry with paper towels to remove surface moisture—this helps the coating adhere and prevents excess splatter when frying.

Set up dredging stations

Place the flour in a shallow bowl or plate. In a second shallow bowl, whisk the eggs with 2 tablespoons water until smooth to make an egg wash. In a third shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper; mix thoroughly.

Coat the cheese

Working with a few pieces at a time, dredge each cheese stick first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg wash, allowing excess to drip back into the bowl, and finally press into the breadcrumb mixture to fully coat. For extra-crisp, double-coat: after the first breadcrumb layer, return the sticks to the egg wash and re-coat with breadcrumbs. Place coated sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment and freeze for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours) to firm the cheese and help the coating set so it won't fall off during frying.

Heat oil

Pour oil into a deep, heavy pot or deep fryer to a depth of about 3–4 inches (leaving at least 2 inches from the top). Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). If you don't have a thermometer, test with one coated stick: a small bubble should appear immediately and the coating should sizzle gently.

Fry the cheese sticks

Fry the frozen, coated cheese sticks in batches of 4–6 for about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes per batch, turning once, until golden brown and crisp. Do not overcrowd the pot—crowding lowers the oil temperature and increases the chance of coating separation. If using double-coated sticks, they may take closer to 1.5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon or spider and transfer to a wire rack set over a baking sheet or paper towels to drain. For best results, keep finished batches warm in a 200°F (95°C) oven while you finish frying remaining sticks, but avoid leaving them too long so the cheese doesn't soften and break through the coating.

Finish and serve

Let the fried cheese sticks rest 1–2 minutes before serving so they cool slightly (cheese will be very hot). Serve immediately with warmed marinara, ranch, and/or spicy honey mustard for dipping.

Warm the marinara briefly in a small saucepan over low heat until simmering lightly, or microwave in a covered bowl for 30–45 seconds. Serve sauces in small bowls alongside the hot cheese sticks.